Do it Do it

Dear AskHat

I don't know if you will be able to help on this one but having recently bought our own home the time to DIY is approaching. Is it possible to do a short course in basic DIY skills such as using a drill, putting up coat hooks, shelves, utensil racks, that sort of thing or am I destined to thumbing through manuals and leaving the plaster walls looking like teabags?

Failing that how does one find a good, reliable handy man who won't balk at doing all of the minor jobs above and cam get them done before hubby returns from work and feels he has given away his manhood?

I'm in North London, N10 but am happy to go Central. Don't feel too pressured, I've been informed the DIY season doesn't begin until March.

Westendmum


Now, I know it may appear to be April - but as March was such horrible weather no-one is doing any DIY until April...and the delay in posting is nothing to do with getting my VAT return in instead of blogging...ahem.


I've found a few places that might suit Westend mums's dilemma.


This course from Chelsea Arts is designed more for people telling other people what to do (so very Chelsea)...but great for de-jargonising your relationship with builders and tradesmens:

http://www.chelsea.arts.ac.uk/shortcourses/54074.htm

At the Builders Training Centre you can do a two day course in basic practical skills for maintaining your home. It's in Croydon, so you'd have to brave South London (bring your passport) but sounds like the right kind of course. No web address but here is the phone number.

020 8649 9340

If you would rather get someone in who knows what they're doing instead, I have used the lovely Steve before - as have about 15 of my friends. Thoughtful about his work, reliable and very pleasant to be around - I highly recommend him.  Good with children and diy averse  spouses.

http://www.sdm-interiors.co.uk/contact.html

There are always books - and there is always a  raft of weird american how-to videos on you tube - but they might be better for bedtime reading/fodder for bad jokes or tool time tim impressions...

Let us know how you get on with your March April DIY'ing.

 love
Askhat xx

Heeeeere's AskHat

Well I'm back - having shamefully not posted for almost 11 months...would that be almost the same age as my daughter? Anyway - I'm not taking all the blame for disappearing - it is called Askhat and I can only really blog if I've got a question to answer. And frankly the kind of questions I've had to ask, or to answer recently have involved breasts, poo and sleep (lack of) and I don't think you all wanted to know about that. If you do - just ask and I can bore you rigid for hooooours...

Anyway - hello again dear friends, and I hope to post something useful/interesting soon.

love

Askhat x